31 Days of Horror Movies: Night of the Creeps

Halloween is a special time. It is the one time of year when everyone gives of themselves. What they give can be anything from candy to a scare. We thought this October, we here at Mania would give you 31 Horror Films for the 31 days of October. Now, many of you will know these films. Some of you, may not. Get ready for 31 days of Horror Films that will run gauntlet from scary to campy, from horrific to down right ridiculous. Happy Halloween from Mania!

Let’s do something that will thrill you Day 17! Mania suggests Fred Dekker’s Night of the Creeps (1986).

In 1959 an alien capsule falls to Earth. From this capsule emerges alien parasites that create a zombie like state of their host as they feed on the brain. Eventually they will burst free and begin this cycle all over again. Thankfully, a rookie cop stops the first of these parasite infected zombies but not before witnessing the brutal death of his ex-lover. Jump twenty-seven years later and two college freshmen unwittingly release this infected zombie and the night of the creeps finally begins.

The film could be considered a modern classic by fans of the genre. It is a great mishmash of horror and science fiction films that pay homage to everything from plots, themes and to those that have created them. Dekker’s (who also wrote the script) greatest tribute is in the names of the characters. Landis, Cameron, Raimi and Corman are just a few names that appear in the film. It is interesting to note that some may scoff at this but at the time and even today all these names are still not normally household names.

Night of the Creeps is far from perfect but that is indeed part of its charm. There is little reasoning for several moments in the film. Why do we see the aliens in 1959 in full color but then see Earth of 1959 in black and white? Why does it take the aliens almost thirty years to find the creeps? These are just a few things but this type of movie is supposed to be fun and tongue in cheek anyway. If you are going to scrutinize this type of film you have already missed the point. Just go with it.